Mahbubeh Naseri Tehrani; Fariba Mosapour Negari; Mehdi Mortazavi
Abstract
The Orzuiyeh Plain stands as a crucial region for understanding prehistoric, particularly Chalcolithic, settlements in southwestern Kerman Province. While sites like Gaz Tavileh, Morad ...
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The Orzuiyeh Plain stands as a crucial region for understanding prehistoric, particularly Chalcolithic, settlements in southwestern Kerman Province. While sites like Gaz Tavileh, Morad Abad XII, and Vakil Abad have seen limited archaeological exploration, they have yielded insufficient data on the sequence of Chalcolithic occupation. To address this gap, a stratigraphic investigation of Tepe Morad Abad VIII, a prominent Chalcolithic mound in the area, was undertaken to establish a relative chronology and delve deeper into Chalcolithic life and pottery traditions. The mound’s substantial depth and scattered pottery fragments suggested a lengthy occupation spanning multiple cultural periods, likely associated with the Yahya Pottery Culture. Through meticulous field and library research, a detailed analysis of pottery artifacts revealed a clear sequence of Chalcolithic occupation across 60 distinct layers. Of the 2413 recovered sherds, 918 underwent in-depth study, including drawing and classification. The findings indicate continuous habitation at Tepe Morad Abad VIII throughout Yahya Periods VI, VC, VB, and VA, spanning from the early to late Chalcolithic era, with an estimated timeframe of 5600 to 4200 BCE.
